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18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys
The attorneys at our Personal Injury Law Firm handle all types of motor vehicle accidents in Texas, including collisions involving trucks and other cars or motorcycles. Truck traffic is constant throughout Texas on the various interstates. As a result, Texas roads see well over a thousand crashes each year involving commercial motor vehicles. In 2017 in the US there were 4,761 people killed in crashes involving large trucks.
Dangers of Truck Traffic
The immense size and weight of a semi-truck combine to make any collision likely to result in serious injury or death to the occupants of the smaller, lighter vehicle. The weight of a fully-loaded tractor-trailer also means that the driver needs increased stopping distance and reaction time to respond to a rapid lane change or sudden stop in the lane ahead, a fact not always fully appreciated by an inexperienced trucker or those who share the road with these behemoths. More info on this website
Another consequence of a truck’s large size is the creation of several blind spots for the driver and for other vehicles. These blind spots extend in all directions around the truck and extend across multiple lanes. It is just as important for other vehicles to drive with care in the vicinity of trucks as it is for the truck driver to be constantly aware of the traffic and road conditions in his or her vicinity.
Truck Driver Error
Truckers are under enormous pressure to deliver their cargo to its destination as quickly as possible. To accomplish this, many truckers stay on the road longer than they should and do not stop to rest when they are fatigued. Others use artificial stimulants to stay awake, which have been shown to decrease alertness, heighten distraction, and mask the dangerous cumulative effects of fatigue and sleep deprivation. Even a fresh, alert driver may still drive recklessly or aggressively in an attempt to stay on or ahead of schedule. Any combination of these factors can lead to a crash with the negligent truck driver at fault.
Trucking Company Negligence
The trucking companies also bear some responsibility to make sure their drivers are adequately trained and that their vehicles are properly serviced and maintained. Cargo loading and balancing is an important safety factor which may be the responsibility of the driver or other workers on the loading docks. The condition of the truck and other factors should be considered when investigating and evaluating a truck crash.
Experienced Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
The federal government regulates the trucking industry, including how long truckers can be on the road and how often trucks must be inspected and serviced. As experienced truck accident lawyers, our attorneys know when and how these regulations apply and how to determine whether the driver or the company were out of compliance, such as by reviewing schedules and log books. Trust us for Justice. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Texas truck accident, contact our Personal Injury Law Firm for experienced and effective representation.